Driving report Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: The everyday electric athlete

For its tenth birthday, Hyundai N offered the biggest gift – in the form of the Ioniq 5 N, which also aims to attract fans of very powerful transport with electric mobility – at a price of 74,900 euros. The stranger seems completely confident and confident. Compared to its more civilian brothers, it has grown slightly in width and height (eight and three centimeters), while its height is two centimeters shorter. Various air openings and other modifications, for example front, rear spoiler and diffuser, not only ensure better cooling of electric machines installed in front and rear. But also with better aerodynamics – and a different eye-catching effect: the electric racer looks fast even when standing still. Especially in the new Performance Blue Matte paint with new Luminous Orange Matte color accents.

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Considering the performance figures, it is not surprising that it is also fast in real life. Because 448 kW / 609 HP in normal mode and 478 kW / 650 HP in N-Grin mode, which is limited to ten seconds, and a maximum torque of 770 Nm has no visible problems with the 2.2 tons of Sport-Ioniq. The Korean sprints to 100 in 3.5 seconds in sports mode, and is a tenth of a second faster in N-Grin mode. During the launch control on the race track, it feels as violent as you imagine: a kick in the small of the back, an attack on the neck muscles, a slight twitch of nerves in the stomach. Just a sports car feeling. However, in a compact crossover SUV that is used to drive children to the playground during the week.

In e-Shift mode, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N simulates two eight-speed manual transmissions.

In order to make the world of electric sports cars as gentle as possible for recognized aficionados of the combustion engine, Hyundai’s sports department has created a sophisticated deception scheme. Because when the person behind the wheel wants to, the Ioniq 5 N, which can reach speeds of up to 260 km / h, acts like a normal eight-cylinder sports car. Well, not quite right. But of course with real deception. In e-Shift mode, the car replicates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is manually shifted using paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The character of the super-displacement V8 engine is emulated, including the shift sticks that come from its pulling torque when changing gears and its rev limiter that kicks in at 8,000 online speeds.

And because the engineers’ desire to play was still not completely satisfied, they also added a sound system on top. Users have a choice between the rich background of the combustion engine and the two pleasant sounds of the circle and the jet, which are transmitted inside the car and very discreetly to the outside through a total of eight loudspeakers. In flight mode, the highest speed was thought, in the mode of combustion engine 5 N spits and boom to your heart’s content while on the beach.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Miscellaneous Test Round

Is it all nonsense and completely wrong? Nope. Various test laps at the Parcmotor de Castellolí racetrack near Barcelona showed that the virtual switch and corresponding sound make it much easier to cope with the more generous power of electric machines. The speed can be estimated better and the electric pedal can be used more carefully because everything around it sounds and sounds like normal. However, if you look at the last tenth of a second in your lap time, you will have to turn off the electronic exchange quickly, because its unnecessary interruption in the drag costs the normal time.

Many configuration options for Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

In addition to a stiff body and an electronically controlled chassis, the Hyundai N has packed a lot of goodies into its first electric baby. In terms of equipment, for example, modified car axles, a special steering column, two bucket seats, 21-inch models with aerodynamically optimized rims and a high-performance brake system that enables brake recovery and a reduction in the level of above 0.6 g and up to the ABS control range – and which shows no weakness even under heavy loads on the race track. If you like, you can change the torque front and rear in eleven levels or simplify tire-eating cycles in skid mode. In addition, during a race, for example, the parameters of the fastest possible corner times or the longest possible use in one go can be pre-selected. Whether it’s Drag Mode for short-term full power or Monitor Mode for long-term optimal battery temperature – the setting options are truly overwhelming.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: A very powerful electric car with plenty of space for passengers and cargo

The good thing about it: you can use it all. But it is not necessary. In its normal state, the Ioniq 5 N is a very powerful electric car with a lot of space for passengers and cargo and the 84 kWh battery can be charged from ten to 80 percent in 18 minutes, thanks to its 800 volt design. Based on a typical theoretical consumption of more than 21 kWh/100 km, Hyundai specifies the WLTP range as 448 km. In Eco and Normal driving modes, the N-Stromer is set to be very comfortable, and in sports mode it did not offend you with its extreme severity. In terms of driving dynamics, it can do a lot more on the racetrack than you might think from its weight. It is actually a daily sports car popularized by Hyundai N.